Austin, TX – May 14, 2025 – Conexxus Vision Group (CxVG) has released its newest Vision Report, “Owning the Numbers: Data-Driven Decisions from Strategy to Store.” The report is based on the CxVG April virtual quarterly meeting and discusses how convenience retailers of all sizes can leverage data visualization, analysis, and inventory management tools.
The meeting was facilitated by James Maxey, an industry expert now teaching at Trinity University. Maxey and CxVG member Babir Sultan, president of FavTrip, demonstrated how small chain operators can use easily accessible and affordable data tools to improve data and inventory management.
Key takeaways in the Conexxus Vision Report below include:
- Data Visualization as a Business Tool: During a live demonstration by James Maxey, Industry Expert and CxVG Facilitator, the Tableau visualization tool was shown to quickly transform data into actionable insights.
- Data-Driven Inventory Management for Small Operators: Babir Sultan, president of FavTrip showcased data analysis that can optimize inventory by identifying key products and setting appropriate inventory levels: “When I came into this industry 20 years ago, the big issue was smaller operators – one, two, five-store operators – had no access to their own data. When we thought of data, we thought of it being something not meant for us; only meant for the big players.”
- Vendor Relations and Supply Chain Optimization: Multiple CxVG members noted how data analysis has transformed vendor relationships, shifting the dynamic from vendor-led to retailer-controlled ordering. “If you make a mistake in that order process, you’re challenged to make returns. So this [use of AI] could be a huge asset in trying to help them place orders, because it’s amazing to me that they relinquish that responsibility,” shared Rob Razowsky, CEO at Rmarts LLC
- Business Performance and Monetization: Other key takeaways from the discussion revealed surprising inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement with keen data analysis. “We created a days-on-hand report for all of our SKUs in the store…it showed us just how many weeks on hand of inventory we had in certain SKUs. And at first we just didn’t believe it,” shared Kristina Anderson, chief service officer for Midwest Petroleum Company.
- Labor Management and Staff Empowerment: The group also discussed how data tools can empower employees and transform staff management. “As an entrepreneur, as somebody that’s curious, I like setting the stage for them and then literally just handing it over to them. So all the employees that are in charge of the department…It becomes their job: Grow that department and get rewarded accordingly,” says Babir Sultan, president of FavTrip.
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